Sea Watch Foundation - Volunteering opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2009 Volunteers are invited to assist the Sea Watch Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) with the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project”. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay , monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. The volunteers will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer/Monitoring Officer assistant with land- and boat-based surveys and photo-identification studies, database entry, awareness raising and education initiatives, acoustic monitoring, and will assist with and participate in training courses and public talks. Volunteers are required from April until October 2009, for 4 separate periods of 6 weeks each. Preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole 6-months field season. Volunteers will be based in New Quay, West Wales . Accommodation is provided at a rate of around £50/week. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Volunteering periods Period 127/04/09 – 7/06/09, Period 2 8/06/09 – 19/07/09, Period 3 20/07/09 – 30/08/09, Period 4 31/08/09 – 11/10/09 Important skills/qualifications Essential: · an ability to work in a conscientious and reliable manner · strong commitment to volunteering work · willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather · basic IT skills (Office package) · an ability to get on well with others in a small team Desirable: · a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar · a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans · prior experience in boat-based survey work · good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking · experience in interacting with the public All volunteers will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals. To apply: Please send to Giovanna Pesante (giovanna.pesante@seawatchfoundation.org.uk) your cv, covering letter and contact details of two references , reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for. Deadline: 31st of January 2009. Pleased specify New Quay volunteer application into your subject title. Applicant will be notified of the outcomes by the 22nd of February 2009. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com